Tips to save on gas when heading to one of our SC vacation rentals

When you’re heading to one of our SC vacation rentals, even if you fly, at some point gas prices will likely factor into your vacation.

The subject has been in the news a lot, as gas prices have fluctuated wildly over the last several years. They’ve been the subject of several previous blogs like this one.

At the moment, prices are headed upward on their annual climb as the peak summer months approach – but they’re still much lower than they’ve been a couple years back. It’s actually a fine time to head to one of our beach house rentals Charleston SC. After all, our state generally has the lowest gas prices in the United States, making a stay in SC vacation rentals — either Isle of Palms vacation rentals or Folly Beach rentals Charleston — a smart economic choice.

A penny saved in a penny earned… and waste not, want not. So on the subject of gas, I came across some interesting and helpful information from the Associated Press. They give tips on how to save on petrol in general, no matter what the current price happens to be.

There’s some wisdom here for whenever you are driving around in your car – whether you’re heading to one of our luxury beach house rentals SC, like a luxury house on Isle of Palms or a Folly Beach house Charleston, or just heading to work during the daily grind.

No sense in spending more money or using up more natural resources than necessary.

Driver Filling Fuel Tank ca. 1994

Some tips to get more mileage out of the gas you buy:

Stay cool:The air conditioner wastes gas, but so can keeping the windows down. In hot weather, the Energy Department recommends keeping windows open when driving at lower speeds and the air conditioner on low when driving faster.

Price check: Smartphone apps such as Waze, Gas Guru and GasBuddy can find the gas stations near you with the lowest prices.

Don’t speed:Every 5 mph that you drive over 50 is equivalent to paying an additional 17 cents per gallon for gas, according to the Energy Department.

Keep tires inflated: When tires don’t have enough air, it forces the vehicle to use more energy to move. Tires that are properly inflated also last longer.

Keep it light:Don’t leave heavy items you don’t need in the trunk. Additional weight is a gas sucker, especially for smaller cars. And keep cargo or containers you don’t need off the roof. Carrying stuff up there makes a car use more energy to overcome the air drag.

Turn it off:When you’re parked and sitting in the car, turn the engine off.

– Associated Press

I regularly get emails from the Charleston Green Connection. They share tips and info about practical things we can do to keep our world a beautiful and healthy place as responsible citizens of the planet.

A recent fact/tip caught my eye. CGC revealed that transportation is responsible for 14% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It makes sense to walk or bike instead of drive whenever possible (which is particularly fun around one of our SC vacation rentals), or carpool.

Idle No More when heading to one of our SC vacation rentals

The most interesting tidbit was this – if you stop your car for more than ten seconds, you’ll both save gas and reduce harmful emissions if you turn off your engine.